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From John Lewis classics to Falcon's enamelware, these stemless designs are perfect for everything from soft drinks to cocktails
So you’ve got your wine glasses lined up and ready to go and your champagne flutes are on-call for the next celebration, but how about the humble tumbler?
Going by many names – water glass, highball or rocks glass – the tumbler will be the hardest working pieces of glassware in your cupboard, so don’t let it get overlooked when giving your collection a spruce up.
Whether tall or short, this stemless design is the perfect vessel for everything from soft drinks through to cocktails and most things in between.
Using it from breakfast through to nightcap, with guests and without, at the table and in the garden, you need a sturdy tumbler that looks the part too.
Available in a variety of materials from sparkling crystal to hardy enamelware, when considering the best tumbler for you we’d recommend thinking about the ways you’ll use it.
Tinted styles are probably best saved for water while clear glass is ideal for wine. Big bowls are great for grown-up’s but kids might struggle if they’re too oversized.
Luckily we’ve rounded up a selection of versatile tumblers sold individually and in handy sets, making it easier for you to stock up on your favourite selection.
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For a tumbler, versatility is key. This one from varietal specific wine glass experts, Riedel, can handle your favourite cocktail, soft drinks such as juice or smoothies, cold beer and of course, the wine it was intended for. From the O range, this syrah glass has a very bulbous shape, with a large bowl which felt great in our grip but might be trickier for younger, smaller hands.
Coloured glassware can be a fantastic and relatively inexpensive way of brightening up a room without investing heavily. This set of two tumblers from Danish brand Hay is made from a special type of borosilicate glass which makes them more durable – leaving you able to cheers your guests with gusto. Beautifully balanced, the unique shade feels particularly fresh yet the tint is subtle enough not to overpower the liquid inside. Simple enough for everyday use, the streamlined shape is perfect for modern homes.
You can always spot an Eva Solo glass from their distinctive angled lip. A definite cocktail party talking point, this longer style tumbler is made from hand-blown glass and works well for water, gin and tonics and other cocktails that require a straw. Sadly to keep the pronounced sheen, it’s best to wash this one by hand.
Rose gold has been a firm homeware trend for some time now and it looks set to continue. Pretty in pink, this dainty set is finished with a gold colour rim which gives it a slightly vintage nod. Launched in 2007, Rockett St George is stocked full of similarly quirky pieces, perfect if you have an eclectic eye for homeware. Mix and match heaven.
With a thin delicate edge and dazzling shiny glass, once filled with ice we used ours for both water and G&T’s. We definitely felt these shorter tumblers felt more special and elegant than the price tag would suggest, preferring them to some of the more heavy duty designs made with thick glass that we tried. However, if you’re looking to save space in your cupboard, you might prefer another option as these are not stackable.
Sophisticated enough for special occasion toasting yet durable enough for everyday use, although these tumblers are designed for wine consumption, we found them to be hard-working enough for a number of drinks. Designed in London and made in an area of Poland known for its exemplary glassware, each piece is hand-blown, allowing for unique variations, making this set of four excellent value. Although visually attractive, the angular bowl shape also helps to regulate the oxygen-to-wine ratio (making each sip extra delicious). Although these can be put in the dishwasher, to keep them super shiny the brand recommends washing by hand.
For a well-weighted versatile tumbler that will withstand everyday use and keep on shining, we’ve awarded our best buy to the House by John Lewis drink tumblers.
